System for controlling production of ozone for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

An ozone generation system for an internal combustion engine. The ozone generator having a conductive cylindrical containment shell with a first cylindrical electrode and a second cylindrical electrode disposed inside the conductive cylindrical containment. A high voltage source is connected between the first and second cylindrical electrode, the voltage sufficient to cause production of ozone. The ozone generator permits air to flow therethrough wherein a change from oxygen to ozone occurs in the air flowing through the ozone generator. At least one monitor module having a voltage sensor for sensing the voltage differential between the first and second cylindrical electrode and at least one control module for controlling the voltage differential between the first and second cylindrical electrode are implemented in the system.

Claims

1. A system for using ozone for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: an ozone generator comprising: a conductive cylindrical containment shell having a first and second opening for allowing air to flow therethrough; first and second cylindrical electrodes disposed inside the conductive cylindrical containment shell; and a high voltage source connected between the first and second cylindrical electrode, the high voltage source capable of producing a voltage differential between the first and second cylindrical electrode sufficient to cause production of ozone; wherein the ozone generator is disposable in an air intake system of a vehicle having the internal combustion engine, the ozone generator permitting air to flow therethrough wherein a change from oxygen to ozone occurs in the air flowing through the ozone generator and into the internal combustion engine; and wherein the ozone generator permits air to flow therethrough wherein a change from oxygen to ozone occurs in the air flowing through the ozone generator; at least one voltage monitor module including a voltage sensor disposed on the ozone generator, the voltage sensor for sensing the voltage differential between the first and second cylindrical electrode; and at least one control module for controlling the voltage differential between the first and second cylindrical electrode.

2. The system according to claim 1 including a dielectric element disposed between the first and second cylindrical electrode.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the dielectric element is glass.

4. The system according to claim 1 including a temperature monitor module including at least one temperature sensor.

5. The system according to claim 1 including an air flow monitor for monitoring air flow through the ozone generator.

6. The system according to claim 1 including an emergency monitor module for alerting a user to an engine or generation system having an out of range parameter.

7. The system according to claim 1 including an emergency shutoff module for terminating power to the high voltage source.

8. The system according to claim 1 including an engine monitor module for detecting engine parameters.

9. A system for using ozone for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: an ozone generator comprising: a tubular containment shell having a first and second opening for allowing air to flow therethrough; a first and second cylindrical electrode disposed inside the tubular containment shell permitting air to flow therethrough; and a high voltage source connected between the first and second electrode, the high voltage source capable of producing a voltage differential between the first and second electrode sufficient to cause production of ozone; wherein the ozone generator is disposable in an air intake system of a vehicle having the internal combustion engine, the ozone generator permitting air to flow therethrough wherein a change from oxygen to ozone occurs in the air flowing through the ozone generator and into the internal combustion engine; and at least one voltage monitor module having a voltage sensor disposed on the ozone generator for monitoring parameters of the system; and at least one control module for controlling the production of the ozone.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one monitor module measures a first temperature of the ozone generator and a second temperature of the high voltage source.

11. The system according to claim 9 wherein the ozone generator includes a dielectric element disposed between the first and second electrode.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the dielectric element is glass.

13. The system according to claim 9 wherein the tubular containment shell is cylindrical.

14. The system according to claim 9 wherein the first and second electrode are coaxially aligned with the tubular containment shell, the first electrode spaced a distance from the second electrode, the first electrode being aligned axially within the second electrode.

15. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one control module is a frequency control module for controlling modulation frequency of the high voltage source.

16. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one control module is a module for adjusting air flow through the ozone generator.

17. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one control module is a timer control module for maintaining records of time and vehicle mileage.

18. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one control module is an emergency shutoff module for disconnecting the high voltage source from the first and second electrode.

19. The system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one monitor module monitors structural parameters including integrity of each component of the ozone generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components.

(2) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the ozone generation system for an internal combustion engine according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the ozone generation system for a diesel engine according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ozone generator according to at least one embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the ozone generator shown in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ozone generator shown in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the ozone generator shown in FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an ozone generation system for a diesel engine according to the present invention;

(9) FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a third embodiment of an ozone generation system for a diesel engine according to the present invention;

(10) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a high voltage circuit for supplying power to the ozone generator;

(11) FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a high voltage circuit for supplying power to the ozone generator according to the present invention;

(12) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the components for the circuit shown in FIG. 9;

(13) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the system for controlling production of ozone for an internal combustion engine; and

(14) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an alternate system for controlling production of ozone for an internal combustion engine.

(15) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

(16) While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have been summarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a few exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

(17) In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art however that other embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Several embodiments are described herein, and while various features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should be appreciated that the features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token however, no single feature or features of any described embodiment should be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

(18) In this application the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise and use of the terms and and or is equivalent to and/or, also referred to as non-exclusive or unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term including, as well as other forms, such as includes and included, should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as element or component encompass both elements and components including one unit and elements and components that include more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

(19) Lastly, the terms or and and/or as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, A, B, or C mean A; B; or C; and A, B and/or C mean any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

(20) As this invention is susceptible to embodiments of many different forms, it is intended that the present disclosure be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

(21) The term ozone generator is the portion of the ozone generation system which produces the oxygen to ozone reaction.

(22) The term tubular is meant an elongted hollow structure having tube walls which may be cylindrical, square, oval or other shape which may be symetrical or asymetrical. One example of a tube would be a square tube for shipping or for fabricating metal frame srtructures.

(23) Referring now to the drawings FIGS. 1-12, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of the ozone generation system for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention.

(24) The system uses the ozone generator for increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions in an internal combustion engine. The system includes an air filter 40 which filters incoming atmospheric air and feeds it to an ozone generator 10. Ozone generator 10 converts the oxygen in the air to ozone, which is then fed into the internal combustion engine 44 for combustion with a desired fuel, such as diesel, gasoline, ethanol, natural gas, or other liquid or gaseous fuel. The ozone is a stronger oxidation gas than oxygen and allows the fuel to burn more completely, increasing efficiency and passing fewer emissions through the exhaust outlet 46.

(25) FIG. 2 shows the block diagram for a system more specifically for a diesel engine and includes an air filter 90 flowing air into the ozone generator 10 which is powered by a high voltage power supply 18. The flow of air is compressed by a turbocharger fan 96 which pulls air from the ozone generator 10 and air filter 90 and feeds the compressed air to the diesel engine 98. After the diesel engine burns the fuel, the product of combustion is forced through the exhaust outlet 46.

(26) FIGS. 3-6 show a first embodiment of the ozone generator according to the present invention. The containment shell 50 or housing is a rigid tube, which includes first and second openings 32, 34 at the opposite ends that allow air to pass through the tube when there is a pressure differential between the first opening 32 and the second opening 34. A cylindrical outer electrode 54 and a cylindrical inner electrode 56 are radially separated by a cylindrical dielectric sleeve 52, and are coaxially disposed inside the conductive containment shell 50. The electrodes 54, 56 are preferably a mesh screen. The dielectric sleeve 52 is preferably a quartz glass although other glass materials or polycarbonate such as Lexan may be used, all of which have high strength dielectric properties. Other dielectric materials may be used. At least one, and preferably three, short supporting insulator members 58 are attached to and extend inwardly between the conductive containment shell 50 and the dielectric sleeve 52 at spaced intervals adjacent each opening 32. Alternately, the insulator members 58 may be attached to and extend between the conductive tube 50 and at least one of the inner electrode 56, outer electrode 54 and dielectric sleeve 52. The insulator members 58 are preferably of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material although Teflon or other aggressive environment material may be used. A high voltage insulated wire 80 connects the high voltage source to the inner electrode 56 and extends through a tube wall opening in the containment shell 50. A strain relief 82 protects the high voltage insulated wire 80 from contact with the edges of the tube opening. Shown in FIG. 6, the high voltage insulated wire 80 extends from the tube wall opening to the cylindrical inner electrode 56 by going around the cylindrical outer electrode 54 and dielectric sleeve 52.

(27) In one embodiment, the inner electrode 56 has a cylindrical shape and includes an opening or cavity which extends from one end of the cylinder to the opposite end whereby air may freely pass through the opening or cavity without obstruction. The outer electrode 54 has a larger diameter than, and is coaxially aligned with, the inner electrode 56. Air may also flow between the containment shell 50 and the outer electrode 54 as it passes longitudinally through the shell.

(28) When a high voltage differential is placed between the outer electrode 54 and the inner electrode 56, oxygen passing inside the containment shell 50 is converted to ozone by combining a single oxygen atom with an oxygen molecule to form ozone. The containment shell 50 is conductive and preferably grounded to the vehicle. Alternately, the containtment shell may be non-conductive.

(29) The ozone generator is powered by connection to the variable high voltage and adjustable frequency power supply. A DC to AC inverter converts the 12 VDC battery voltage to at least about 3000 volts AC, and as high as about 32,000 volts AC or more, at a frequency preferably between about 300 and 3,000 Hertz. Both the output voltage and frequency are adjustable. The metal electrodes are attached to the high voltage output of the inverter which in turn produces ozone from the oxygen in the air passing within the shell. In order to achieve maximum efficiency in fuel savings and smog reduction, the entire screen tube is preferably installed directly between the existing air filter and the turbo charger of the diesel engine. The incoming filtered clean air is passed through the electrically charged electrode 5 plates, where the oxygen in the air is converted to ozone and subsequently enters the combustion chamber of the diesel engine. The ozone facilitates the diesel fuel to burn more efficiently and minimizes the residual exhaust particulars, wherein the output of the ozone generator 10 is fed through a generator filter where it combines with the air flowing through the air filter 40, 90 and turbo charger fan 96 and feeds to the intake of an internal combustion engine.

(30) FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an ozone generation system for a diesel engine according to the present invention;

(31) FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a third embodiment of an ozone generation system for a diesel engine according to the present invention;

(32) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a high voltage circuit for supplying power to the ozone generator. An electronic circuit 15 powers the ozone generator 10 and includes a 12-volt battery 20 and a power inverter 18 having a high ratio step-up transformer 22. The circuit 15 includes a power detector 24 which monitors the voltage from the power inverter 18 and sends power to illuminate a lamp 26 when voltage is detected. One terminal 20 of the power inverter 18 may be connected to a ground terminal 28. The voltage is then fed to the ozone generator 10. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the high voltage circuit 15. The high voltage circuit 15 includes the power detector 24 at the low voltage side of the circuit rather than the high voltage side of the circuit 15.

(33) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram 110 of the components for the power inverter 18 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The feedback information may control the voltage output, frequency output, or voltage and frequency of the power supply in order to control the amount of ozone delivered to the internal combustion engine. As the speed or power output of the engine increases, the power circuit self-adjusts to provide more ozone to the engine since more oxidation of the fuel is necessary. Inversely, as the speed of the engine or the power output decreases, the feedback information is sent to the power supply in order to reduce the generation of ozone. This will prevent over-generation of ozone. This voltage, by magnetic action through transformer Tl, steps up the 12 volts direct current to as high as 32,000 volts. The output voltage is adjustable from about 3,000 volts to 32,000 volts and the frequency is adjustable. The circuit preferably provides a high voltage alternating semi-square wave to the ozone generator.

(34) The circuit 110 uses a pair of transistors Q3, Q4 in a push-pull configuration to produce a voltage across the primary coil of a transformer Tl having a center tap connected to 35 the 12 v supply positive terminal. The transformer Tl secondary voltage is applied across the ozone generator terminals and the secondary center tap of the transformer Tl is connected to the ground terminal. This circuit configuration with the center taps of the primary and secondary coils of transformer Tl connected to the terminals of the 12-volt voltage source reduces stress on the transformer coils, allowing for a smaller transformer size compared to a circuit which does not implement the transformer center tap in this way.

(35) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system 200 for controlling production of ozone for an internal combustion engine. The system 200 includes an ozone generator 210 mounted to an engine 250 of a vehicle. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-6, the ozone generator includes a tubular containment shell 50 having a first and second opening for allowing air to flow therethrough and first and second cylindrical electrodes 54, 56 disposed inside the tubular containment shell 50 permitting air to flow through. The system 200 includes a high voltage power inverter 230 connected with a wire 270 between the first and second cylindrical electrodes 54, 56, of the ozone generator; the high voltage power inverter 230 capable of producing a voltage differential between the first and second electrodes 54, 56 sufficient to cause the production of ozone. The ozone generator 210 is disposable in an air intake system of a vehicle having the internal combustion engine, the ozone generator permitting air to flow therethrough wherein a change from oxygen to ozone occurs in the air flowing through the ozone generator and into the internal combustion engine. The system 200 includes at least one control module 220 for controlling production of ozone by the ozone generator 210. The control module 220 communicates with the power inverter 230, the ozone generator 210, a sensor 240 on the ozone generator 210 and the internal combustion engine 250. The control module 220 may be a frequency control module or a voltage control module for controlling the ozone generator voltage for maximizing performance. The control module 220 may be a temperature control module for activating a cooling system of the ozone generator or the control circuit. The control module 220 may be a flow control module for adjusting air flow through the ozone generator. The control module 220 may be a timer control module for determining state of ozone generator (ON/OFF) as a function of mileage and time and for keeping track of mileage and time. The control module 220 may be an emergency shutoff module.

(36) In one embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the system 202 includes at least one monitor module 280. The monitor module 280 communicates with the at least one control module 220, a sensor 240 on the ozone generator 210, and the internal combustion engine 250. The monitor module 280 includes monitoring features which may be incorporated into the at least one control module. The monitor module 280 detects engine parameters and monitors the production of ozone. The monitor module 280 may be a frequency monitor module or a voltage monitor module having a voltage sensor 240 disposed on the ozone generator for determining the voltage supplied to the ozone generator 210. The monitor module 280 may be a temperature monitor module including at least one temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the ozone generator, control circuit or a portion of the internal combustion engine. The monitor module 280 may be an air flow monitor which monitors air flow through the ozone generator. The monitor module 280 may be a timer monitor module for generating time interval for the control circuit to work with. The monitor module 280 may be an emergency monitor module for alerting a user to an engine or generation system having an out of range parameter. The monitor module monitors structural parameters including the integrity of each component of the ozone generator. The monitor module monitors fuel parameters including instant fuel usage, average fuel usage, fuel put into the fuel storage tank, and other static and/or dynamic fuel functions. The at least one monitor module 280 may be integrated with the at least one control module 220 to perform both monitoring and controlling functions.

(37) The feedback information may control the voltage output, frequency output, or voltage and frequency of the power supply in order to control the amount of ozone delivered to the internal combustion engine. As the speed or power output of the engine increases, the power circuit self-adjusts to provide more ozone to the engine since more oxidation of the fuel is necessary. Inversely, as the speed of the engine or the power output decreases, the feedback information is sent to the power supply in order to reduce the generation of ozone. This will prevent over generation of ozone.

(38) In some embodiments the method or methods described above may be executed or carried out by a computing system including a tangible computer-readable storage medium, also described herein as a storage machine, that holds machine-readable instructions executable by a logic machine (i.e. a processor or programmable control device) to provide, implement, perform, and/or enact the above-described methods, processes, and/or tasks. When such methods and processes are implemented, the state of the storage machine may be changed to hold different data. For example, the storage machine may include memory devices such as various hard disk drives, CD, or DVD devices. The logic machine may execute machine-readable instructions via one or more physical information and/or logic processing devices. For example, the logic machine may be configured to execute instructions to perform tasks for a computer program. The logic machine may include one or more processors to execute the machine-readable instructions. The computing system may include a display subsystem to display a graphical user interface (GUI) or any visual element of the methods or processes described above. For example, the display subsystem, storage machine, and logic machine may be integrated such that the above method may be executed while visual elements of the disclosed system and/or method are displayed on a display screen for user consumption. The computing system may include an input subsystem that receives user input. The input subsystem may be configured to connect to and receive input from devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or gaming controller. For example, a user input may indicate a request that certain task is to be executed by the computing system, such as requesting the computing system to display any of the above-described information, or requesting that the user input updates or modifies existing stored information for processing. A communication subsystem may allow the methods described above to be executed or provided over a computer network. For example, the communication subsystem may be configured to enable the computing system to communicate with a plurality of personal computing devices. The communication subsystem may include wired and/or wireless communication devices to facilitate networked communication. The described methods or processes may be executed, provided, or implemented for a user or one or more computing devices via a computer-program product such as via an application programming interface (API).

(39) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

(40) In addition, the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be noted and understood that various modifications and variations can be crafted by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Further it is intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or materials which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein are considered within the scope of the present invention.

(41) Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.

(42) Although narrow claims are presented herein, it should be recognized that the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim. It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in an application that claims the benefit of priority from this application.

(43) While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.